X-band Dual-Polarization Radar Observations of the Supercell Storm that Generated an F3 Tornado on 6 May 2012 in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

 X-band dual-polarization (multi-parameter) radars observed the supercell storm that generated an F3 tornado in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan on 6 May 2012. The observational data collected for the storm clearly show typical polarimetric features of a supercell storm, such as the Z_DR (differential reflectivity) arc, Z_DR column, and K _DP (specific differential phase) column, and their time evolution. The Z_DR arc emerged 10 or 15 min before tornadogenesis. The Z_DR column appeared about 1 hour before Z_DR arc formation and developed intermittently until tornadogenesis. Just when the Z_DR arc appeared, the column was becoming taller and stable, and lasted until the dissipation of the tornado. These Z_DR signatures of the supercell storm lasted around half an hour.